diff --git a/README.mdown b/README.mdown index 5084364..124987e 100644 --- a/README.mdown +++ b/README.mdown @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ As a result of the above hubris we triple our efforts. - Make one extra of the above as a control for testing your sanitation. It is OK. -Bird seed, agar powder, and sugar water are inexpensive. +Bird seed, coconut husk, and sugar water are inexpensive. All other equipment can be reused. Saving a control will help you test for contamination introduced through your technique. @@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Skipping testing on [agar slants](#agar-slants) works well enough as long as you - [ ] aluminum foil -imperial | metric +Imperial | Metric -------- | ------ 16 oz | 450 ml @@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ imperial | metric Mixing liquid culture is similar to [agar slants](#agar-slants) without needing to cool the test tubes in any particular position. A simple sugar like light corn syrup is dissolved in distilled water to provide mycelium calories for reproduction. -ingredient | mason jar | ratio +Ingredient | Mason Jar | Ratio ---------- | --------- | ----- water | 300 ml | 100 ml simple sugar | 15 g | 5 g @@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ Mixing 2:3 grams ratio of malt extract to agar powder is good for saving money b Scale the following recipe as needed to fill 1/3 of each test tube or 10 ml: -ingredient | mason jar | ratio +Ingredient | Mason Jar | Ratio ---------- | --------- | ----- water | 300 ml | 100 ml agar | 9 g | 3 g @@ -372,9 +372,9 @@ This guide does not address these special requirements. I leave it up to you to research your mycelium species. [Grain spawn](#grain-spawn) is a common source of nutrients and the most accessible source of grain spawn is wild bird seed. -You should, however, provide mycelium a variety of grain spawn and [substrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(biology)) between generations of colonies so the strain does not lose it's ability to digest different sources of nutrition. +You should, however, provide mycelium a variety of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) and [substrates](#bulk-substrate) between generations of colonies so the strain does not lose it's ability to digest different sources of nutrition. -These general instructions are the same for most grain spawn. +These general instructions are the same for most [grain spawn](#grain-spawn). # Grain Spawn @@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ Wild bird seed is dusty and full of bacteria and molds. Because the seeds are dry the bacteria has likely [endosporulated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endospore), making it resistant to sanitization. Soaking and boiling the bird seed will clean it up a bit and encourage the endospores to reproduce, leaving them weaker to [autoclave](#autoclave). -imperial | metric +Imperial | Metric -------- | ------ 16 oz | 450 ml 1 cup | 250 ml @@ -473,8 +473,10 @@ However, exposing more surface area give the mushrooms more room to sprout. - [ ] take-out containers, black opaque, polypropylene -Coconut husk (coir) holds moisture better than the mycelium cake we created in the [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) jar. -We shall mix it with [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) for colonization as a [substrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(biology)). +Earlier it was mentioned that mycelium want a variety of [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) and [substrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substrate_(biology)) between generations of colonies so the strain does not lose it's ability to digest different sources of nutrition. +This guide uses coconut husk (coir) mixed with [grain spawn](#grain-spawn) for colonization as a substrate. +You can also add coffee grounds, sawdust, straw, and rice husks for variety. +Take caution to only change one thing at a time between generations or you risk overwhelming the mycelium. Many commercial gardening coir are treated with [endophyte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endophyte) to protect plant roots. These endophytes do not protect our mushroom roots and will compete for resources like any other contamination.